Duke Faces Federal Probe, Admissions Shake-Up, New Health High School, and Major Sports Updates in August 2025

Good afternoon, Blue Devils! It's Monday, August 11, 2025, and here's what's happening at Duke University. Duke University is currently under federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. The probes focus on alleged racial discrimination in admissions and hiring practices. As a result, the Trump administration has frozen $108 million in federal research funding to Duke Health, encompassing the School of Medicine and the broader health system. University officials are reviewing the allegations and working to address the concerns raised by federal authorities. In an unexpected move, Duke has reopened its waitlist and admitted approximately 50 additional students to the Class of 2029. This decision comes just two weeks before first-year move-in on August 16. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions cited the need to align the class size with recent cohorts as the primary reason for this action. Newly admitted students are now navigating an expedited onboarding process to prepare for the upcoming semester. Duke Football is in full swing with fall camp as they prepare for the 2025 season opener against Elon on Thursday, August 28, at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. Head Coach Manny Diaz and the team are focused on building momentum for the upcoming season. Season tickets are available for purchase through the Duke Athletics Ticket Office. In field hockey news, the Blue Devils have announced a challenging 2025 schedule, featuring eight home games and seven contests against 2024 NCAA Tournament teams. Notably, Duke will host the 2025 NCAA Championship semifinals and finals at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium, marking the first time the national champion will be crowned on Duke's home turf. Duke University is set to open a healthcare-focused high school in Durham in August 2025. This initiative aims to prepare students for in-demand, well-paying careers in the healthcare sector within their own communities. The program is part of a broader effort to invest in early talent development and address workforce needs in the healthcare industry. A section of Campus Drive will be closed from July 28 to August 3 for maintenance work. Students and staff are advised to plan alternative routes during this period. Currently, it's mostly cloudy in Durham with a temperature of 75°F (24°C). Showers are expected around 1:00 PM, with thunderstorms likely later this afternoon. Please plan accordingly and stay safe. That's all for today's update. Stay informed and take care, Duke community!